Methods and system for providing context sensitive information

ABSTRACT

A method and system are described for providing context sensitive data to a system user. The method includes the steps of identifying the user and querying databases to create a user context. Information is aggregated from the network databases and filtered using the user context. Providing the correct data needed by the user for that particular time, location and job function.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner authorizes reproduction for purposes of of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing context sensitive information to a user, more particularly to a system which provides context sensitive information based on the current user context, including current location, and schedule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large business organizations utilize a variety of computer and software systems to manage their operations. Such systems are typically designed to focus on a particular sector of the operation, such as finance, inventory control or manufacturing routing. The development of systems to solve particular needs often results in users having to consult a number of distinct systems to gather the information needed to make business decisions. To compound the problem, data is often managed by “legacy” systems or otherwise older computer systems and architectures. These systems typically utilize older technology and are often difficult to integrate with newer enterprise systems.

To effectively manage a business, operations data needs to be up to date and readily available so decisions can be made quickly. A number of solutions have been proposed which translate data between a variety of databases. These solutions often allow for the querying of multiple disparate databases. While these solutions allow the interrogation of multiple databases, they often require complicated queries that have disadvantages of being difficult to use and modify by average business users. Additionally, these systems typically require the user to “drill down” through multiple layers of data if the user requires lower level information. For example, determining the inventory level for a particular manufacturing facility. This often results in an overload of data for the user, further complicating the decision making process.

These solutions also tend to be restricted to a limited portion of the business' computer network and thus not available when the user is away from the office, or does not have access to a networked computer.

Accordingly, it is considered advantageous to have a system that can quickly provide critical business data to a user independent of their location. It is further considered advantageous to provide a system which filters this data to provide the data that is most relevant to the users present location.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore advantageous to provide a method and a system for carrying out the method which provides context sensitive information to a user. The method comprises the steps of identifying a user. Defining a query and transmitting the query and user identity to a server. Periodically querying at least one database. Retrieving the query information from the at least one database and retrieving user information from the at least one database. A subset of the query information is created depending on said user information and transmitted to the user.

Additionally, the method and system can provide information to predefined zones within a facility. Once a user is detected within a zone, the method and system aggregates data requested by the user and applies a user context to provide a context sensitive information report.

Another advantage of the invention is that the method and system in response to a user request provide a means for identifying qualified personnel within a business. The method and system will provide the requesting user with the information, or alternatively contact the identified qualified personnel and aggregate their responses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a network of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view a multi-site network of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a flowchart depicting the operation of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a flowchart depicting the operation of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of one embodiment of a report displayed by the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view of another embodiment of the report illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of another report displayed by the invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a portion of the report illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of the network of one of the facilities in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Large business operations utilize computer networks to manage the flow of information. These networks often connect various systems which monitor and collect information on various aspects of the business operation. Referring to FIG. 1, a typical business operation 20 is shown. The business 20 has a network 22 which connects legacy systems 24 and servers 26 to a vast majority of computer nodes. The computer nodes include, but are limited to desktop computers or clients 27 in the offices 28 and manufacturing facilities 30. Typically, various manufacturing processing stations 32 also connect to the network 22 to provide real time or summary data on the status of the processing station 32.

In addition to the desktop clients 27, the business 20 may also utilize other portable computing nodes such as, but not limited to, laptop computers 34, personal digital assistants 36, or cellular phones 38. As will be described in more detail herein, these devices 34-38 may connect to the network 22 through both traditional wired connections 40 or wireless connections 42-46.

A number of network servers 26 are utilized in the operation of the network 22. Two typical servers include an application and data type server 48 and a gateway or firewall server 50. The application and data type server 48 serves the clients 27 software applications and provides a centralized storage of data. It should be noted that while a single server 48 is represented here, there may be any number of servers 48 utilized by a business 20 to maximize the efficiency and reliability of the network 22. The second server, the firewall server 50, connects the network 22 to computer networks 52 external to the business 20. An example of an external network 52 would be the internet. The firewall server 50 is a security device which controls access to the computer network 22 from the external network 52.

As will be described in more detail herein, the external network 52 connects the network 22 to an external wireless service provider 54. The provider 52 contains its own network 56 which allows it to transmit signals 46 from a transmitter 58 to a wireless device 36, 38. The transmitter utilized by the provider 54 may be of a number of different types, for example, cellular, radio, microwave or infrared. The transmitter 58 does not have be land bound as depicted in FIG. 1., but may be located in space (e.g. a satellite) as well.

Typically, in a large multinational company, the business 20 will be larger than a single installation. Referring to FIG. 2, the business 20 includes a plurality of facilities 60-68. These facilities may include, but are not limited to, a data-center 60, a corporate office 62, and a plurality of manufacturing facilities 64-68. Each of the facilities 60-68 will typically have local area networks 23 which are connected together by a wide area network 70 to form the network 22. Each of the local networks 23 will typically have servers 72 which provide applications and data storage to the local facilities 60-68. As with a single site business, a firewall server 50 connects the network 22 with an external computer network 52.

To effectively manage the business 20, operations data must be effectively and rapidly collected and reported if it is going to be used in the decision making process. Referring to FIG. 3, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a User Context Application 74 operates on a network server 48. This application 74 cooperates with a Data Mining Application 76 and a variety of databases 78, 80 to provide context sensitive data to a system user through the network 22. The databases 78, 80 contain information on the system user and include, but are not limited to, a schedule database 78 which stores information on the system user's daily appointment schedule and a user database 80 which includes personnel information (e.g. job assignment, team affiliations) and user preferences. The Data Mining Application 76 queries various business information databases 82 to acquire aggregate the necessary business data required by the system user.

The databases 78-82 are connected and accessible through the network 22. Additionally, the User database 80 may be accessed by any computing device, including the client 27 or a wireless device 36.

As will be described in more detail herein, the User Context Application 74 provides context sensitive information in response to a request from a system user. For purposes herein, the request may be either predefined (e.g. send me this data every day) or dynamic (e.g. send me this data now). The context sensitive information is a filtered form of the aggregate information compiled by the Data Mining Application 76. The User Context Application 74 applies rules defined by the user to the aggregated information to take into account the system users current context. The user context includes, but is not limited to the following user parameters; 1) current physical location, 2) current time of day, 3) current week, month and year, 4) current job assignment, 5) current schedule and 6) current preferences.

A simple example is illustrated in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4A. First, the system user defines what information they need 84 and how often they want the data aggregated 86. For example, the CEO of business 20 is concerned about the level of inventory in the business and requests that the inventory information be aggregated daily. Since inventory is of a concern, the CEO also defines for the system an inventory level (e.g. number of product, monetary value, etc.) which if exceeded, would generate an alert. The context application 74 collects 88 the aggregated data from the data mining application 76. The context application then applies the user context 90 to the aggregate data. Using the example above, the context application determines that the CEO is currently located in manufacturing facility 66 (FIG. 2), that it is 9:00 am local time, the CEO is scheduled to meet with the plant manager at 9:30 and that the CEO prefers the data be presented in a “gage” type format. Thus, when the context application 74 applies the user context to the requested information, a report will be constructed and transmitted 92 to the CEO showing the inventory data for the current day in manufacturing facility 66.

An alternate embodiment of this process is shown in FIG. 4B. In this embodiment, a request 94 is made dynamically for a particular set of information. The request is transmitted 96 over the network 22 to the context application 74. The context application collects 98 the aggregate data from the data mining application 76 and applies the user context 100 to the aggregate data. In this embodiment, the identity of the requesting user may serve as both a security feature and a filter since it allows the data to be refined for that users job function. For example, different inventory data may be reported to a manufacturing engineer who works on a particular product line, than the business 20 CEO who is concerned about all the product lines. Once the context data has been created, it is transmitted 102 back to the requesting user. It is important to note that in both embodiments, if the requesting user desires to see a higher or lower level of information (e.g. CEO wants to compare manufacturing facility 66 with the other facilities), system allows the user to “drill up” or “drill-down” through the data.

FIGS. 5 8 illustrate different context reports as displayed on either the client 27 or one of the wireless devices 36-38. The report 104 (FIG. 5-6) shows the user information on a particular manufacturing process or product line. The report is sub-divided into a number of regions. A menu section 106, a report section 108 and a metrics section 110.

The menu section 106 allows the user to drill-up or drill-down through related data. By clicking on one of a series of hyperlinked titles, the user can switch to different related datasets. Alternatively, the user can review summary overview information, for example, for an entire plant.

The metrics section 110 provides the user with a set of hyperlinks to topics of interest. In the exemplary embodiment, the topics would be parameters being monitored by the business 20, for example, quality level, growth, performance. These parameters may be predefined by a system administrator or customized by the user.

The report section 108 provides the context summary information in the user preferred format. As shown in FIG. 5, for each of the measured parameters 112 (orders, inventory, temperature, etc.) a summary of the data related to the parameter 112 is displayed. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 5 & 6, the data is summarized into four fields, Status 114, Trend 116, Updated 118 and Alerts 120. Each of the fields 114-120 graphically displays an indication representative of the data for a particular measured parameter 112. In the exemplary embodiment, the Status field 114 represents the current status of the parameter 112 with respect to the operating plan. The Trend field 116 indicates direction the of the parameter, whether it is increasing, decreasing or staying flat. The Updated field 118 shows the user the defined update period, and the graphical display indicates if the data has been updated (e.g. a check mark) or not (an “X” mark) since the last time the data has been reviewed. The final field, Alert field 120, displays a graphical symbol when certain criteria are met as described herein above. It should be noted that more or less fields can be added to the report section as needed or desired by the user or business 20.

After reviewing the reports section 108, the user can click on the parameter to gain access to more detail on the particular parameter 112. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the user clicked on the “inventory” parameter 112. The detailed display 122 allows information on the inventory parameter to be viewed at different levels. A tab section 124 allows changes to the period of time over which the data is summarized, in the exemplary embodiment, this would include day, week to date (WTD), month to data (MTD), quarter to date (QTD) and year to date (YTD). For the time period chosen, the data is summarized as defined by the user preference. As shown in FIG. 7, the inventory for a product is shown for each plant 125 where it is manufactured. For each plant, a trend indicator 126, an alert indicator 128, and a “gage or graph 130 is shown for each plant 125.

By clicking a particular plant 125, further detailed information can be accessed as shown in FIG. 8. Detailed information on the plant 125 could include further trend indicators 132 and alert indicators 134. A detail section 137 provides comparison data for the time period selected (e.g. day, week to date, month to date, quarter to date or year to date), including the daily average 236, daily average for the previous year 138 and the planned daily average 140. A third summary section 141 includes information comparing the actual level vs. plan level 142 and a comparison projecting the level total for the entire year (based on current trends) vs. plan level 144.

An alternate embodiment of this system is shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the facility 64 is divided into discreet zones 146 152. The zones 146-152 are areas of common interest. For example, in a manufacturing facility zones 146, 148, 150 are each an individual manufacturing processes or assembly lines. Alternate zones include, but are not limited to, areas 152 such as engineering, shipping and receiving or the data center. The zones 146-152 are defined by positioning devices or sensors 154 which detect devices, these devices include, but are not limited to device such as a handheld personal digital assistant 36, a laptop computer 34, cellular phone 38 or a client computer 27. Once the location and user are known, the User Context Application 74 residing on the server 72 can provide context sensitive information to the user that is particular to that zone.

An example of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. An operator approaches a quality inspection station 146 in the plant 64. The sensor 154 detects her presence and signals the User Context Application 74. The User Context Application 74 queries the User Database 80, determines the users job function, current assignment and preferences. The Data Mining Application 76 aggregates data on that inspection station 146 from the database 82. A context sensitive report is transmitted to the wireless device 36. The report maybe include, for example, information on the quality of the products inspected at the station 146. The report may also include an inspection approval sheet that is digitally signed and approved. If desired, the system also could be used to activate or deactive controls at the inspection station 146 depending on the identify of the user. Additionally, the wireless device 36 may include authentication functionality (e.g. password, fingerprint, voice recognition) that provides additional security.

While a cellular or radio wireless device is illustrated in FIG. 10, it is contemplated that other wireless network technologies could also be used such as the BlueTooth wireless network standard or via an infrared.

An alternative to the sensor 27 would be using the Global Positioning System or GPS device in each of the devices used by the system user. In this embodiment, the zones 146-152 would be created virtually within the server 72 with the zone boundaries being defined by the GPS coordinates of the zone. It is contemplated that the portable user devices 34, 36 would transmit their coordinates to the server 72. When the device 34, 36 moves into a zone 146-152 the system could then apply the appropriate user context information for that user in that particular zone.

The embodiments described herein above utilize the User Context Application 74 to provide context sensitive business data. Another alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the user has a problem and needs to identify and locate the appropriate experts within the business. The user transmits via their computing device 36, 38 (either wireless as illustrated or via a traditional client 27) a command to the User Context Application 74 requesting information on a particular topic. The User Context Application queries the User Database 80 to ascertain the user context of the user and then queries a Expert Database to determine the appropriate business employees have an expertise related to that topic. The creation and operation of the expert database is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/711,711 entitled “Methods and Systems for Accessing Experts” which is incorporated herein by reference.

The user context is applied to the returned list of experts to filter out experts that may not be relevant to the particular user. The context sensitive expert list with contact information is then forwarded to the user. Alternately, the user Context Application 74 can contact the list of identified experts with a request for information. The message sent to the identified experts may also include information on the location and identity of the requesting user. The User Context Application 74 would collect the responses from the identified experts and forward the aggregated responses to the user. Additional uses for this technique include the identification and location of service specialists, product sales, or other qualified personnel.

In the case of large corporations, the list of experts could be large. In this case, it is contemplated that the User Context Application would send a list of Expert Communities or groups of experts that may have information pertaining to the user's information request. The User in turn would select the Community they feel is most appropriate and transmit the data back to the User Context Application 74 for further identification of experts or other qualified personnel.

Since some wireless devices may have limited graphical capabilities or display size. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes a predetermined set of commands created by the system administrator or the device user. In this embodiment, the user enters a command followed by a field of information. The command and field are transmitted to the User Context Application 74 for processing. The User Context Application then parses the command from the field and executes a predetermined action depending on the command. Since the User Context Application has access to the user context, the resulting set of data or information can be reduced to that considered most relevant to the user at the time the command was transmitted. For example, if the user is traveling from an airport to a facility and needs to contact “John Smith” at the facility. The user uses her cellular phone 38 or personal digital assistant 36 to send a command “PH:Smithjohn” to the User Context Application 74. The User Context Application 74 queries the business” Employee Database 158 to determine the phone number for all employees named “John Smith”. Depending on the user's preferences, the User Context Application 74 will return a list of phone numbers to the user's cellular phone 38. If desired, the user can have the User Context Application 74 return a list of all employees with that name, or more preferably, have the User Context Application apply a user context taking into account the user's schedule to filter the list of names to only those “John Smith's” located at the facility which the user is traveling to. The User Context Application 74 can further help the user by prioritizing the list of contact using criteria such as job function, team assignment or department. This embodiment of using a command and a field can be applied to any report desired by the user. Other examples include financial reports, system status, product line information or any other report that is defined in the system.

While the embodiments describes herein above discuss the transmitting of a request or command to the User Context Application 74. The system can also executed via an electronic mail. The User Context Application 74 would then be located at a predetermined electronic mail address. The user would transmit an electronic mail containing the information described herein above which would then be sent to the User Context Application 74 via an electronic mail server. Information would then be transmitted back to the user by electronic mail. The electronic mail server may or may not be located on the same server as the User Context Application 74. The use of electronic mail provides the advantage of integrating the User Context Application into an existing network 22 with a minimal effort.

As described above, the present invention can be embodied in the form of computer implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROM's, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium (embodied in the form of a propagated signal propagated over a propagation medium, with the signal containing the instructions embodied therein), such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. A method for providing context sensitive information comprising: identifying a user; defining a query; transmitting said query and said user identity to a server; periodically querying at least one database; retrieving said query information from said at least one database; retrieving user information from said at least one database; creating a context sensitive subset of said query information depending on said user information; and transmitting said context sensitive subset query information to said user.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: determining the location of the user; and, creating a context sensitive subset of said query information depending on the location of the user.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said query definition includes information on the period of time between said queries.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: defining an alarm criteria for said query information; periodically querying said at least one database; comparing said query information to said alarm criteria; and, notifying said user if said alarm criteria is met.
 7. A method for providing context sensitive information comprising: defining information required by a user; defining the desired format of said user information; building a query from said user information; periodically querying at least one database to retrieve data, the period between queries being defined by a user time period; determining the identity of said user; determining the context sensitive subset of said data for the identified user; formatting said context sensitive data; and, displaying said context sensitive data for said user.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: determining the location of the user; and, determining a context sensitive format for the location of the user.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: defining an alarm criteria for said user information; comparing said alarm criteria to said data; and, notifying the user if the alarm criteria conditions are met.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: determining the time of the query; determining the schedule of the user; comparing the time of the query with the user's schedule; and, determining a context sensitive subset of said data for the time and schedule.
 11. A method for providing context sensitive information to a user comprising: transmitting a command to a server; determining the identity of the user; determining the location of the user; determining the schedule of the user; retrieving data in response to said command; determining a context sensitive subset for said data based on said user identity, location and schedule; and, transmitting said context sensitive data to the user.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: comparing the transmitted command to a set of predefined commands; and, formatting the context sensitive subset data in a predetermined format.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein said transmitted command includes a first field containing a request for information on a subject.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of: comparing said first field to a database containing employee information; identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; and, transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of determining the location of said identified employees.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said identified employee data includes information on the location of the identified employees.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees that the user has requested information.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees of the users location.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein said command includes a second field, said second field including an information required.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of: comparing said first field to a database containing employee information; identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; determining the location of said identified employees; and transmitting to said identified employees data on the user, said user data including the location of the user and information contained in said second field.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of determining which employees are located closest to the user.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein said user data is transmitted to only the closest identified employees.
 23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.
 24. A method for providing context sensitive information to a user comprising: transmitting to a first command from the user, said command including an information request; searching a database, said database including contact information of qualified personnel, said qualified personnel being grouped into communities by subject matter; identifying which communities correspond to said information request; transmitting to said qualified personnel in said identified communities said information request; receiving from said qualified personnel answers to said requested information; and, transmitting said received answers to the user.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of: receiving the first command from the user; determining which of said qualified personnel communities correspond to said information request; transmitting to the user said communities identified as corresponding to the information request; selecting which qualified personnel communities the user would like to send the information request to; and transmitting a second command from the user; said second command including information identifying said selected qualified personnel communities.
 26. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of: parsing said first command; determining keywords for searching said database from said parsed first command.
 27. A method for providing context sensitive information to a user within a facility comprising: defining a plurality of zones within the facility; identifying a user within said zones; determining personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user's job assignment; and, transmitting zone information to said user.
 28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of determining what information is required for said user's job assignment.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein said zone information includes a subset of the information required for said user's job assignment, said subset being information related to said zone where said user is currently located.
 30. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of: determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone; and transmitting a second zone information to said user, said second zone information including a subset of the information required for said user's job assignment, said subset being information related to said second zone.
 31. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of: authenticating the identity of the user within said zone.
 32. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of: enabling access to facility or controls based on the user's identity and the zone where they are located.
 33. The method of claim 31 wherein said zone is processing equipment, said zone information including processing parameters for the processing equipment in said zone.
 34. The method of claim 31 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area, said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.
 35. The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of activating authorization software for said zone associated with said user's job assignment.
 36. A system for providing context sensitive information to a user, comprising: a server; at least one database connected to said server; a query means for executing a predefined query on said database, said query creating a set of data; a means for a user to request said data from said server; an application program on said server, said application program determining the identity of said user and creating a context sensitive subset of said data based on said users identity; and, a means for transmitting said context sensitive subset of said data to said user.
 37. The system of claim 36 wherein said application program creates said context sensitive data subset from a set of rules predefined by said user.
 38. The system of claim 36 further comprising at least one node accessible by said user and remote from said server.
 39. The system of claim 38 wherein said node is a computer.
 40. The system of claim 38 wherein said node is a personal digital assistant.
 41. The system of claim 38 wherein said node is a portable communications device.
 42. The system of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is a computer network.
 43. The system of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is a cellular network.
 44. The system of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is via a radio system.
 45. The system of claim 38 further comprising: a network, said server located on said network; and a plurality of databases on said network, said query means accessing said plurality of databases to retrieve said data.
 46. The system of claim 45 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user's predefined preferences, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said preferences.
 47. The system of claim 46 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user's schedule said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user's schedule.
 48. The system of claim 47 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user's personnel information, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user's personnel information.
 49. The system of claim 48 wherein said personnel information includes the identified user's job assignment.
 50. A system for providing context sensitive information to a user, comprising: a server; at least one database connected to said server; a means for a user to request information from said server, said request including a command and a keyword; an application program on said server, said application program determining the identity of said user and querying said at least one database in response to said request; a set of data created from said query, said application program further creating a context sensitive subset of data based on the identity of said user; and, a means for transmitting said context sensitive data subset to said user.
 51. The system of claim 50 wherein said application program parses said command from said keyword, said application program executing a predefined query in response to said command.
 52. The system of claim 51 wherein said parsed keyword is contained within said predefined query.
 53. The system of claim 50 further comprising at least one node accessible by said user and remote from said server.
 54. The system of claim 53 wherein said node is a computer.
 55. The system of claim 53 wherein said node is a personal digital assistant.
 56. The system of claim 53 wherein said node is a portable communications device.
 57. The system of claim 53 wherein said transmission means is a computer network.
 58. The system of claim 53 wherein said transmission means is a cellular network.
 59. The system of claim 53 wherein said transmission means is via a wireless communications system.
 60. The system of claim 53 further comprising: a network, said server located on said network; and, a plurality of databases on said network, said query means accessing said plurality of databases to retrieve said data.
 61. The system of claim 60 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user's predefined preferences, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said preferences.
 62. The system of claim 61 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user's schedule said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user's schedule.
 63. The system of claim 62 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user's personnel information, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user's personnel information.
 64. The system of claim 63 wherein said personnel information includes the identified user's job assignment.
 65. A system for providing a user context sensitive information from one or more knowledge experts, comprising: a server; a means for a user to transmitting an information request to said server; at least one database connected to said server, said database including information on qualified personnel and their expertise, said database grouping said qualified personnel with similar expertise into communities; an application program on said server, said application program executing a query of said database in response to said information request; a set of data resulting from said query; and, a means for transmitting said set of data to said user.
 66. The system of claim 65 wherein said set of data includes names and contact information of said qualified personnel.
 67. The system of claim 65 wherein said set of data includes the names of the communities related to said information request.
 68. The system of claim 67 further comprising: a means for said user to select at least one of said communities in said set of data; and, a means for transmitting said selected communities to said server.
 69. The system of claim 68 wherein said application program executes a query on said database of said selected communities, said query resulting in a second set of data.
 70. The system of claim 69 wherein said second set of data includes names and contact information of said qualified personnel.
 71. The system of claim 70 wherein said transmitting means transmits said second set of data to said user.
 72. The system of claim 70 wherein said information request includes a specific question.
 73. The system of claim 72 wherein said transmitting means transmits said information request to said qualified personnel in said second set of data.
 74. The system of claim 73 further comprising: a means for said experts to send qualified personnel information related to said information request to said user.
 75. The system of claim 74 wherein said means for sending information stores said qualified personnel information on said server.
 76. The system of claim 75 wherein said transmission means transmits said qualified personnel information to said user on a periodic basis.
 77. The system of claim 68 further comprising at least one node accessible by said user and remote from said server.
 78. The system of claim 77 wherein said node is a computer.
 79. The system of claim 77 wherein said node is a personal digital assistant.
 80. The system of claim 77 wherein said node is a portable communications device.
 81. The system of claim 77 wherein said transmission means is a computer network.
 82. The system of claim 77 wherein said transmission means is a cellular network.
 83. The system of claim 77 wherein said transmission means is via a wireless communications system.
 84. A system for providing context sensitive information to a user within an industrial facility comprising: a plurality of zones within the facility; a means for identifying a user within said zones; a server connected to said identifying means, at least one database connected to said server, said database including business related information; and, an application program on said server, said application program transmitting zone specific information to said user.
 85. The system of claim 84 a personnel database containing personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user's job assignment.
 86. The system of claim 85 wherein said application program modifies said zone specific information based on said users job assignment.
 87. The system of claim 84 wherein said means for identifying the user includes means for authenticating the users identity.
 88. The system of claim 87 wherein said authentication means includes fingerprint recognition.
 89. The system of claim 87 wherein said authentication means includes voice pattern recognition.
 90. The system of claim 86 further comprising means for determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone.
 91. The system of claim 90 wherein said application program, in response to said user moving from a first zone to a second zone, transmits second zone information to said user.
 92. The system of claim 86 wherein said zone is a manufacturing processing area and said zone information including processing parameters for processing equipment in said zone.
 93. The system of claim 86 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area and said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.
 94. The system of claim 86 further comprising an activation means, said activation means enabling or disabling controls for said user depending on the identity of said user.
 95. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising: identifying a user; defining a query; transmitting said query and said user identity to a server; periodically querying at least one database; retrieving said query information from said at least one database; retrieving us er information from said at least one database; creating a subset of said query information depending on said user information; formatting said subset query information; and, transmitting said formatted information to said user.
 96. The storage medium claim 95, further comprising the steps of: determining the location of the user; and, creating a subset of said query information depending on the location of the user.
 97. The storage medium of claim 96 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.
 98. The storage medium of claim 97 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.
 99. The storage medium of claim 98 wherein said query definition includes information on the period of time between said queries.
 100. The storage medium of claim 95 further comprising the step of: defining an alarm criteria for said query information; periodically querying said at least one database; comparing said query information to said alarm criteria; and, notifying said user if said alarm criteria is met.
 101. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising the steps of: defining information required by a user; defining the desired format of said user information; building a query from said user information; periodically querying at least one database to retrieve data, said period between queries being defined by a user time period; determining the identify of said user; determining an context sensitive subset of information for the identified user; and, displaying said context sensitive data for said user.
 102. The storage medium of claim 101 further comprising the step of: determining the location of the user; and, determining a context sensitive data format for the location of the user.
 103. The storage medium of claim 102 further comprising the step of: defining an alarm criteria for said user information; comparing said alarm criteria to said data; and, notifying the user if the alarm criteria conditions are met.
 104. The storage medium of claim 102 further comprising the step of: determining the time of the query; determining the schedule of the user; comparing the time of the query with the user's schedule; and, determining a context sensitive data for the time and user schedule.
 105. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising: transmitting a command to a server; determining the identify of the user; determining the location of the user; determining the schedule of the user; retrieving data in response to said command; and, transmitting said data to the user.
 106. The storage medium of claim 105 further comprising the step of: comparing the transmitted command to a set of predefined commands; and, formatting the data in a context sensitive format.
 107. The storage medium of claim 105 wherein said transmitted command includes a first field containing a request for information on a subject.
 108. The storage medium of claim 107 further comprising the step of: comparing said first field to a database containing employee information; identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; and, transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.
 109. The storage medium of claim 108 further comprising the step of determining the location of said identified employees.
 110. The storage medium of claim 109 wherein said identified employee data includes information on the location of the identified employees.
 111. The storage medium of claim 109 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees that the user has requested information.
 112. The storage medium of claim 111 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees of the users location.
 113. The storage medium of claim 107 wherein said command includes a second field, said second field including a specific information required.
 114. The storage medium of claim 113 further comprising the step of: comparing said first field to a database containing employee information; identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; determining the location of said identified employees; and, transmitting to said identified employees data on the user, said user data including the location of the user and information contained in said second field.
 115. The storage medium of claim 114 further comprising the step of determining which employees are located closest to the user.
 116. The storage medium of claim 115 wherein said user data is transmitted to only the closest identified employees.
 117. The storage medium of claim 114 further comprising the step of transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.
 118. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising: transmitting to a first command from the user, said command including an information request; searching a database, said database including contact information of qualified personnel, said qualified personnel being grouped into communities by subject matter; identifying which communities correspond to said information request; transmitting to said qualified personnel in said identified communities said information request; receiving from said qualified personnel answers to said requested information; and, transmitting said received answers to the user.
 119. The storage medium of claim 118 further comprising the step of: receiving the first command from the user; determining which of said qualified personnel communities correspond to said information request; transmitting to the user said communities identified as corresponding to the information request; selecting which expert communities the user would like to send the information request to; and, transmitting a second command from the user; said second command including information identifying said selected expert communities.
 120. The storage medium of claim 118 further comprising the step of: parsing said first command; and, determining keywords for searching said database from said parsed first command.
 121. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user within an industrial facility, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising: defining a plurality of zones within the facility; identifying a user within said zones; determining personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user's job assignment; and, transmitting zone information to said user.
 122. The storage medium of claim 121 further comprising the step of determining what information is required for said user's job assignment.
 123. The storage medium of claim 122 wherein said zone information includes a subset of the information required for said user's job assignment, said subset being information related to said zone where said user is currently located.
 124. The storage medium of claim 122 further comprising the step of: determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone; and, transmitting a second zone information to said user, said second zone information including a subset of the information required for said user's job assignment, said subset being information related to said second zone.
 125. The storage medium of claim 122 further comprising the step of: authenticating the identity of the user within said zone.
 126. The storage medium of claim 125 further comprising the step of: enabling access to facility or manufacturing controls based on the user's identity and the zone where they are located.
 127. The storage medium of claim 125 wherein said zone is processing equipment, said zone information including processing parameters for the processing equipment in said zone.
 128. The storage medium of claim 125 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area, said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.
 129. The storage medium of claim 128 further comprising the step of activating authorization software for said zone associated with said user's job assignment.
 130. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising: identifying a user; defining a query; transmitting said query and said user identity to a server; periodically querying at least one database; retrieving said query information from said at least one database; retrieving user information from said at least one database; creating a context sensitive subset of said query information depending on said user information; and, transmitting said context sensitive subset information to said user.
 131. The data signal of claim 130, further comprising the steps of: determining the location of the user; and, creating a subset of said query information depending on the location of the user.
 132. The data signal of claim 131 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.
 133. The data signal of claim 132 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.
 134. The data signal of claim 133 wherein said query definition includes information on the period of time between said queries.
 135. The data signal of claim 130 further comprising the step of: defining an alarm criteria for said query information; periodically querying said at least one database; comparing said query information to said alarm criteria; and, notifying said user if said alarm criteria is met.
 136. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising: transmitting a command to a server; determining the identify of the user; determining the location of the user; determining the schedule of the user; retrieving data in response to said command; determining a context sensitive subset of said data based on said user identity, location and schedule; and, transmitting context sensitive subset data to the user.
 137. The data signal of claim 136 further comprising the step of: comparing the transmitted command to a set of predefined commands; and, formatting the context sensitive subset data in a predetermined form at.
 138. The data signal of claim 137 wherein said transmitted command includes a first field containing a request for information on a subject.
 139. The data signal of claim 138 further comprising the step of: comparing said first field to a database containing employee information; identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; and, transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.
 140. The data signal of claim 139 further comprising the step of determining the location of said identified employees.
 141. The data signal of claim 140 wherein said identified employee data includes information on the location of the identified employees.
 142. The data signal of claim 140 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees that the user has requested information.
 143. The data signal of claim 142 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees of the users location.
 144. The data signal of claim 138 wherein said command includes a second field, said second field including a specific information required.
 145. The data signal of claim 144 further comprising the step of: comparing said first field to a database containing employee information; identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; determining the location of said identified employees; and, transmitting to said identified employees data on the user, said user data including the location of the user and information contained in said second field.
 146. The data signal of claim 145 further comprising the step of determining which employees are located closest to the user.
 147. The data signal of claim 146 wherein said user data is transmitted to only the closest identified employees.
 148. The data signal of claim 145 further comprising the step of transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.
 149. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising: transmitting to a first command from the user, said command including an information request; searching a database, said database including contact information of qualified personnel, said qualified personnel being grouped into communities by subject matter; identifying which communities correspond to said information request; transmitting to said qualified personnel in said identified communities said information request; receiving from said qualified personnel answers to said requested information; and, transmitting said received answers to the user.
 150. The data signal of claim 149 further comprising the step of: receiving the first command from the user; determining which of said expert communities correspond to said information request; transmitting to the user said communities identified as corresponding to the information request; selecting which qualified personnel communities the user would like to send the information request to; and, transmitting a second command from the user; said second command including information identifying said selected qualified personnel communities.
 151. The data signal of claim 149 further comprising the step of: parsing said first command; and, determining keywords for searching said database from said parsed first command.
 152. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user within an industrial facility, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising: defining a plurality of zones within the facility; identifying a user within said zones; determining personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user's job assignment; and, transmitting zone information to said user.
 153. The data signal of claim 152 further comprising the step of determining what information is required for said user's job assignment.
 154. The data signal of claim 153 wherein said zone information includes a subset of the information required for said user's job assignment, said subset being information related to said zone where said user is currently located.
 155. The data signal of claim 153 further comprising the step of: determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone; and, transmitting a second zone information to said user, said second zone information including a subset of the information required for said user's job assignment, said subset being information related to said second zone.
 156. The data signal of claim 153 further comprising the step of: authenticating the identity of the user within said zone.
 157. The data signal of claim 156 further comprising the step of: enabling access to facility or manufacturing controls based on the user's identity and the zone where they are located.
 158. The data signal of claim 156 wherein said zone is processing equipment, said zone information including processing parameters for the processing equipment in said zone.
 159. The data signal of claim 156 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area, said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.
 160. The data signal of claim 159 further comprising the step of activating authorization software for said zone associated with said user's job assignment.
 161. In a computer system having graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method for providing context sensitive data and selecting different data, the method comprising: retrieving a set of display sections, said sections including a report selection having a plurality of parameter entries, a menu section having a plurality of data set entries and a metrics section having a plurality of report entries; displaying said sections on the display; retrieving a display selection signal indicative of the selection device pointing at a selected entry in one of said sections; and, in response to said signal, transmitting a signal to an application to retrieve context sensitive data represented by the selected entry. 